THE battle for second spot on the Northern District Cricket Association A Grade ladder intensified on Saturday, with a washout adding another twist to the battle.
Overnight rain prevented second-placed Nondies and fifth-places rivals, Cohuna United from taking to the field at Cohuna Recreation Reserve’s second oval.
Both sides shared the points – propelling United to fourth on the ladder with five rounds to go.
Nondies fell to third on the table as a result of Wandella’s 78-run win against Koondrook/Barham.
Wandella, who are now less than one point ahead of Nondies in second spot on the ladder, confirmed it will either host a first semi-final at worst on Saturday, March 5 thanks to an away win.
Isaa Hogan (49), Peter Moore (37), Greg Dickson (33) and Michael Runciman (27) made the most of the reigning premiers being asked to bat first, helping Wandella post 9/178 off 45 overs.
Paul Molin took four wickets for the home side, helping the border team claim eight wickets whilst only conceding 42 runs.
Moore (three wickets), Brad Murray (two wickets) and Zac Sambrooks (two wickets) tore through Barham/Koondrook’s line-up, dismissing the fourth-placed side for 100 in the 35th over.
Jack Thomas (38) top-scored for the border side, who trail United by three points.
Losing streak ends
KERANG Fairley Town’s first win in almost two seasons on Saturday ended Leitchville/Gunbower’s hopes to defend the NDCA B Grade title.
The Kerang-based team defeated their composite opponents by six wickets in a spirited affair.
An unbeaten century from Daniel Higgs set up the win for the victors, who lost all of its A Grade and B Grade matches in 2014/15, as well as 11 of the past 12 games before Saturday’s encounter.
Sending Leitchville/Gunbower in to bat first paid off early for Kerang Fairley Town, with only a late fightback from Mitchell McEwen (32) and Sam Colvin (31) helping the 2014/15 premier reach 153 off 33.2 overs.
Nathan Moon and Higgs took two wickets each for the home side, who scored 6/211 in reply.
Colvin and Oliver O’Shea took two wickets each for Leitchville/Gunbower, who needed to win to keep their finals hopes alive.
The race for the second chance heated up, with Wandella reducing the margin between themselves and second-placed side, Barham/Koondrook to less than one point thanks to a four-run win.
Nick Whitfield (61) was one of five Bombers batsmen to surpass double figures, with the home side scoring 4/163 off its 40 overs.
Dylan Robinson took two of the four wickets for the border side, who needed to win to stay in touch with ladder leaders, Nondies.
However, Barham/Koondrook fell four runs shy of victory, scoring 9/159 off its 40 overs.
Billy Fallon took four wickets for the Bombers, who are on track to either play a second semi-final against Nondies or host a first semi-final against Cohuna United on Saturday, March 5.
Nondies is one step closer to securing the minor premiership after defeating Cohuna United by 10 wickets.
Regan Williams (30) was the only United player to show any resistance as Lachie Harbinson (four wickets) helped dismiss the home side for 60 in the 28th over.
Rhys Free (37) and Harbinson (25) guided Nondies to their 10th win of the season, before Aiden Thompson (31) and Liam Pascoe (26) provided some lower order highlights to help the visitors score 179 off 36 overs.
Daniel Wyatt took three wickets for United, who hold an 18-point lead over fifth-placed Leitchville/Gunbower.
